The New South Wales Government Railways began planning the Blue Mountains electrification scheme from 1949, and with that plan in full swing by the early 1950s, called tenders for 80 cars (40 motor cars, 20 trailer cars and 20 planned first with buffet trailer cars), of which the contract was awarded to Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng) of Granville in 1954. However, the 20 planned first with buffet cars, which would have been coded RT 6601-20, were replaced by 20 full First-class seating cars just before construction began, after a 200-million pound review of the NSW Railways took place by American firm Ebasco Services Incorporated in the mid-50s recommended the replacement of these cars.
The U sets were a bit different compared to the normal suburban single-decked trains that were running at the time. They were the first EMUs in NSW to feature stainless-steel construction (earlier NSWGR EMUs featured painted mild steel or were of wood construction, of which was found on the 'Bradfield' EMUs, also the oldest and first electric multiple units in NSWGR service at the time), improving train acceleration and giving the trains lower maintenance costs and a longer usable life.
Тип: traincar